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Until recently the Husaberg FS400 was one of the few over-the-counter supermotos available. It’s a very raw experience, with a terrific induction noise from the airbox, which nestles between the frame tubes right under the seat a barking exhaust note and furious acceleration. However, it’s not the most reliable bike.
Although the Husaberg FS400 only stretches the dyno to about 35bhp at the back wheel as standard it only has 112kg to push along, so it feels much more. Essentially a two-stroke bottom end mated to a four-stroke top, Berg motors of this vintage are powerful but fragile. The carb-fed SOHC single cylinder motor comes with a bar-mounted switch that lets you toggle between full and reduced power depending on the conditions. Replacing the CV carb with a pumper item transforms the delivery.
In this supermoto trim the Husaberg FS400 is highly agile. Shift your backside to outside of the seat, lean it over with the wide Magura bars and let the tinkle of abraded footpeg be your lean indicator. The brakes are simply awesome – easy rolling stoppies are just a finger’s squeeze away, thanks to an excellent four-piston Beringer caliper and 310mm disc.
The Husaberg FS400 components are all top quality – WP suspension, Beringer brakes, and Magura bars. But there’s not even an ignition key, the seat’s a slim race pad and the lights are unusable after dark.
Reliability is a definite issue with pre-2004 Husabergs. Some run forever, others seem to have problems. Motors are the weak point; the lubrication is rudimentary, the single cylinder vibratory and powerful – grenaded engines are not uncommon. You’ll need to keep the battery on trickle charge if you want the electric start to be reliable. The left-hand kicker takes practice to master.
The Husaberg FS 400 is cheap. But buying one can be an expensive gamble – a broken motor can cost as much as £1000. There are better supermotos than this. Find a Husaberg FS400 for sale.
Insurance group: 11 of 17
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1996: Husaberg 400 Enduro introduced.2003: More reliable Husaberg 450 released.
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george shuttleworth
Retro gulf racing mz..
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